Marianne Kim

Applied Artist

Marianne Kim, a versatile musician based in Chicago, is renowned for her dynamic performances and compositions that span a wide range of musical genres, including classical, jazz, Broadway, R&B, gospel and both traditional and contemporary church music.

As a soloist and collaborative artist, Marianne takes pleasure in delivering impressive piano and organ recitals, engaging in chamber music and exploring the world of jazz. Notably, she served as both a classical pianist and rhythm section keyboardist for the Lakeside Singers under the direction of Robert Bowker from 2005 to 2022. Additionally, she contributed her talents as a pianist to Willow Creek Community Church and the Moody Church from 2001 to 2018, and currently serves as a principal organist for Christ Church of Oak Brook, IL.

Marianne has been involved with the Ravinia Festival since 2008, participating in various projects such as "Danny Elfman's Music," "The Lord of the Rings," "An Evening of Lerner and Loewe," "Best of Broadway" and Leonard Bernstein's opera "Trouble in Tahiti" under the baton of Maestra Marin Alsop. Notably, she performed "Téenek-Invenciones de Territorio" by Gabriela Ortiz alongside the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto.

Beyond her performances, Marianne has been sought after as a clinician for numerous events, including colleges, the American Guild of Organists, Worship Music Conferences, Churches and Publishers. She is a faculty member at North Park University, teaching gospel/contemporary piano and working as a collaborative pianist. Marianne is also excited to join the faculty of Northern Illinois University, where she is teaching organ and harpsichord.

A prolific composer, Marianne has published over 400 titles through esteemed publishing houses such as Lorenz Publishing, Hope Publishing, Augsburg Fortress, Shawnee Press/Hal Leonard, Concordia Publishing, GIA Publications, Yesol Press and J&A Music. Her compositions have garnered critical acclaim, with Mark Hayes describing them as "intelligently crafted and quite artful with aural surprises," Larry Shackley praising the "sparkling arrangements with tasteful jazz harmonies and rhythms," and Douglas Wagner appreciating the incorporation of "invigorating harmonies, syncopated rhythms and an assortment of jazz elements."

Marianne's musical journey began in Korea, where she studied piano and composition at Busan High School of Arts. She furthered her education at Pusan National University, earning a B.M. in composition. Subsequently, she pursued dual Master of Music degrees in jazz studies and organ performance at Northern Illinois University, where she received several scholarships and awards, including the prestigious Jazz Scholarship, the Robert R. and Frances A. Green Endowed Scholarship, the Jeffrey Lunsford Fellowship Award, the Richard Keefer Award, the Farny Wurlitzer Scholarship, the Outstanding Women’s Awards and the Artistic Talent Scholarship.

As a member of both ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and AGO (American Guild of Organists), Marianne continues to contribute significantly to the world of music. For more detailed and up-to-date information about her, please visit her website.